MIDWAY, Fla. (WTXL) -- Additional rain related to unsettled weather conditions in the region over the last week aided in the slow, partial recovery from deeper drought conditions earlier this fall.
Abnormally Dry conditions, as classified by the National Drought Mitigation Center, remain in the central Big Bend and the Suwannee River Valley, where recent rain accumulations haven't been as generous as other sections.
Areas in the Flint River, which had Extreme drought levels last month, have improved to Moderate levels.
A patch of Severe drought category is centered in interior south-central Georgia, enveloping Cook, Lanier, Colquitt, and most of Berrien counties.
Extreme and Exceptional drought classifications remain in middle and west-central Georgia.
A local National Weather Service assessment reports increase stream flows in some Panhandle and southwest Georgia rivers compared to November because of the uptick in rain activity, with replenished water supplies in agricultural ponds. The higher levels of topsoil moisture have also reduced wildfire threats.
However, some area river levels remains below average, especially in the Suwannee River. Many southwest Georgia counties continue in a Level 1 Drought Response from state environmental protection authorities.
